Dive Site: Finca de Pepe

About Finca de Pepe

Finca de Pepe is a celebrated dive site located within Cuba's Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) Marine Protected Area, a sprawling 837-square-mile sanctuary situated approximately 100 miles south of the Florida Keys. This region is renowned as one of the Caribbean's most successful no-take marine parks, where vigilant conservation efforts have led to a significant increase in fish stocks and a thriving ecosystem often compared to what the Caribbean was like decades ago. The underwater topography at sites within the Gardens of the Queen typically features reefs that skirt the edge of the continental shelf. Dives may begin with mini walls descending from around 16 meters, continuing steeply to about 27 meters, before transitioning to a gentler slope extending to depths of 38-42 meters. Large coral formations, some reaching 13 to 16 meters in height, are common features, providing habitat for a diverse array of marine life. The marine environment is exceptionally vibrant, characterized by abundant populations of sharks, including silky and Caribbean reef sharks, which are frequent encounters. Divers can also expect to see large groupers such as Nassau, black, yellowfin, and even Goliath groupers, many displaying a remarkable lack of fear toward divers. Other species like tarpon, horse-eyed jacks, cubera, and dog snapper are also common. The high presence of apex predators like sharks and large groupers is a strong indicator of the overall health of these reefs, which are protected year-round. Spawning aggregations of tarpon occur in April and May, while whale sharks are spotted between September and January. Diving here is typically experienced via liveaboard, limiting human access and ensuring pristine conditions. The region is open to a limited number of divers annually, making each visit a unique opportunity to explore an untouched marine ecosystem. Given the rich marine life and varied depths, divers should be comfortable with open water and potentially deeper dives, often encountering large pelagic species.